Assessing Implementation of theGlobal Compact for Migration The Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) is the most inclusiveintergovernmental platform in the Asia-Pacific region. The Commission promotes cooperationamong its 53 member States and 9 associate members in pursuit of solutions to sustainabledevelopment challenges. ESCAP is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. The ESCAP secretariat supports inclusive, resilient and sustainable development in the regionbygenerating action-oriented knowledge,and by providing technical assistance andcapacity-building services in support of national development objectives, regional agreementsand the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Asia-Pacific Migration Report 2024: Assessing Implementation of the Global Compact for MigrationUnited Nations PublicationCopyright © United Nations, 2024All rights reservedPrinted in Bangkok Suggested citation: United Nations, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) (2024).Asia‑Pacific Migration Report 2024: Assessing Implementation of the Global Compact for Migration. For more information, please contact: Social Development DivisionEconomic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)Email: escap-sdd@un.org Disclaimer The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policiesof the United Nations or other international agencies. The publication has been issued without formal editing.Mention of any firm or licensed process does not imply endorsement by the United Nations. Links containedin the present publication are provided for the convenience of the reader and are correct at the time of issue.The United Nations takes no responsibility for the continued accuracy of that information or for the content ofany external website. Reproduction and dissemination of material in this publication for educational or othernoncommercial purposes are authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder, provided thatthe source is fully acknowledged. Mention of firm names and commercial products does not imply the endorsement of the United Nations. Reproduction of material in this publication for sale or other commercial purposes, including publicity andadvertising, is prohibited without the written permission of the copyright holder. Applications for such permission,with a statement of purpose and extent of the reproduction, should be addressed to the Director, Social DevelopmentDivision, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific at escap-sdd@un.org. Foreword: ESCAP Asia and the Pacific is home to over half of the world’s population and more than 40 per cent of the world’smigrants. Migrants play a vital role in the region’s development, offer a wealth of untapped potential, and arecentral to inclusive and sustainable development. This is clearly acknowledged in the 2030 Agenda for SustainableDevelopment, which underscores the importance of a world in which “...all human beings can fulfil their potentialin dignity and equality and in a healthy environment.”The Global Compact for Migration (GCM), which is rooted inthe 2030 Agenda, notes that “migration is a defining feature of our globalized world, connecting societies withinand across all regions, making us all countries of origin, transit and destination.” This report builds on the Asia-Pacific Migration Report 2020. It sheds light on the trends, lessons, challengesand opportunities in making migration work for all in the region and beyond. The region is replete with goodpractices in safe, orderly and regular migration. Yet much remains to be done to fulfil the promise of migration, formigrants and their families, as well as for origin, transit and destination countries. Every migration policy shouldbe people-centred, evidence-based and sustainable and should take account of the diverse situations of migrantsand their families, recognizing that these may change over the course of migration. The policies should tap intothe potential of digital transformation, enhance skill levels, promote equity and protect the human and labourrights of migrants and their families, without creating or exacerbating vulnerable situations. Countries need tocooperate on this, through bilateral and other arrangements, as well as by addressing capacity needs, such as gapsin implementing legislation and collecting and analysing data. Regional and international cooperation are critical to safe, orderly and regular migration. In 2024 and 2025, allregional commissions are organizing a second round of GCM regional reviews. From 4 to 6 February 2025, ESCAPand the Regional United Nations Network on Migration for Asia and the Pacific will convene their second regionalreview. This report, together with stakeholder consultations, are part of the Asia-Pacific regional review process,which will inform the seco